Falls on Rock, Rappelled Off End of Rope, Pennsylvania, Ralph Stover State Park

FALLS ON ROCK, RAPPELLED OFF END OF ROPE

Pennsylvania, Ralph Stover State Park

There were three climbing accident reports from this area. One involved a belayer not being attentive to the climber as he fell, resulting in lacerations and bruises. Another fall, resulting in a fractured wrist, ankle and shoulder, occurred to a 16 year old who was climbing with his parents and sister, but decided to do a free climb. He fell. Finally, a 19 year old rappelled off the end of his rope, severely bruising his shoulder and the side of his head.

Analysis

The latter was one of two such accidents (see West Virginia), and the likes of which we have not seen in several years. Here it is attributable to beginning climbers not being attentive to technique. (Source: Jim Yester)